Abstract: In a temperature sensor with a platinum resistance thermometer accommodated in a tube-shaped housing, the platinum resistance layer belonging thereto should be protected against pollution or contamination of the platinum, since the electrochemical characteristics of platinum can be reduced by substances in the surroundings in the event of too low a partial pressure of oxygen. For this purpose, a mechanically solid and liquid-impermeable, connection is provided in the connection region of the tube-shaped housing, which permits an admission of air-oxygen into the housing from the environment of the connecting cable. The air-oxygen admission is made possible through a liquid-impermeable oxygen-permeable jacket for the connecting cable and/or over an accompanying connecting plug, whereby the admission of air-oxygen takes place along a glass filament filler running parallel to the electrical leads inside the jacket of the connecting cable.

Abstract: A variable resistance control device and switch has a base, made of insulating material, a rheostat, mounted to the base, and a switch, mounted to the base. The rheostat includes a variable resistor trace, positioned on the base, a collector trace, positioned on the base next to and insulated from the variable resistor trace. The rheostat includes an actuator, slidably coupled to the base, for sliding over a length of both the variable resistor trace and the collector trace to make electrical contact therebetween. The rheostat also includes a first set of contacts, that are 1) electrically coupled during operation of the rheostat, and are 2) electrically isolated during operation of the switch; and a second set of contacts, that are 1) electrically isolated during operation of the rheostat, and are 2) electrically coupled during the operation of the switch.

Abstract: Electrical devices having a PTC element of a polymer having conductive particles dispersed therein. The PTC element is coated with a conductive layer and has electrodes with a plurality of voids affixed to opposing surfaces. The devices are made by dispersing conductive particles into a polymer to form a polymer PTC composition. The polymer PTC composition is melt-shaped to form a laminar shaped PTC element. First and second opposing surfaces of the PTC element are coated with a conductive layer. The electrodes, characterized by a plurality of voids and made of foam, are brought into contact with the coated surfaces of the PTC element, and heated while applying pressure to form a laminate. The laminate is then further shaped into a plurality of PTC electrical circuit protection devices.

Abstract: A ceramic circuit substrate having a resistor deposited on a surface thereof, said ceramic substrate having a coefficient of thermal expansion ranging from 5.0.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. to 7.0.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C., the resistor being coated with a glass overcoat and made of 15 to 50% of RuO.sub.2 and 85 to 50% of a CaO--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.sub.2 --B.sub.2 O.sub.3 -system glass, the glass overcoat being made of 60 to 100% of a CaO--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.sub.2 --B.sub.2 O.sub.3 -system glass and up to 40% of alumina, wherein the resistor has a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the glass overcoat. Due to the above specific relationship between the coefficient of thermal expansion of the resistor and that of the overcoat, the resistor is not subject to cracking at the time of trimming and thereafter, and realizes the exertion of resistance performance ensuring excellent weather resistance and stability.

Abstract: A thermistor chip is made by first forming first metal layers with a three-layer structure at both end parts of a thermistor element and then forming second metal layers with a three-layer structure on the first metal layers so as to have edge parts that are formed directly in contact with a surface area of the thermistor element and will reduce its normal temperature resistance value. The first and second metal layers are each of a three-layer structure with a lower layer made of a metal with resistance against soldering heat, a middle layer made of a metal with both wettability to solder and resistance against soldering heat, and an upper layer made of a metal having wettability to solder.

Abstract: A curved disc joystick or pad with improved performance, reliability and durability can be used as a cursor pointing device for computers, remote controls, video games, consumer electronics, industrial controllers, automotive and other applications. A conductive spring or sheath connects to a conductive curved rubber transducer which can be deflected to make contact with conductors on a printed circuit board, providing electrical outputs to a microprocessor or other device. A ribbed locking extension may be added to automate the assembly process. In addition, a collar may be provided to produce a controllable product, both in terms of manufacturing and performance.

Abstract: A giant magnetoresistive assembly includes a first film fabricated of a ferromagnetic material having a first predetermined thickness, a second film fabricated of a non-ferromagnetic material formed to said first film having a second predetermined thickness greater than said first predetermined thickness, and a third film fabricated of a ferromagnetic material formed to the second film having a third predetermined thickness wherein the third predetermined thickness differs from the first predetermined thickness.

Abstract: The overvoltage suppressor contains two connecting fittings (1, 2), which are spaced apart from one another along an axis (z) and between which at least one cylindrical varistor element (8) is arranged. The connecting fittings (1, 2) and the at least one varistor element (8) are braced with respect to one another, forming a contact force, to form a mechanically robust active part of the overvoltage suppressor. The active part is sheathed by a molded housing made of insulating material. In each case one material cutout is formed in each of the two connecting fittings (1, 2) with a section (15, 16) which runs essentially transversely with respect to the axis (z), is designed in the form of a slot and extends from the outer surface of the fitting (1, 2) to beyond the axis (z).

Abstract: A rotary variable resistor with switch having a switch mechanism, in particular, a rotary variable resistor with switch corresponding to an ultrathin rotary variable resistor. Such a rotary variable resistor having a switch mechanism has dimensions, especially thickness, which are only slightly larger than that of a conventional ultrathin rotary variable resistor. Moreover, such a rotary variable resistor is easy to assembly due to the small number of parts, is reliable, and generates a fairly loud and easily recognizable clicking sound each time the switch is turned on or off, which can be both easily felt and heard by the user.

Abstract: A rotary potentiometer device (1) has a rotary potentiometer (4) disposed within a housing (2) and a handle (7) above the housing (2) for rotating a resistive disk (6) of the rotary potentiometer (4). A latching device latches the handle (7) with the upper side of the housing (2) in predetermined rotation positions. At least one spring-loaded latching nose (16) protrudes above the upper side of the housing (2) and cooperates with latching troughs (18) in the lower side of the handle (7). No additional individual components are necessary for making the latching device. The spring-loaded configuration urges the latching nose towards a latched position defined by the latching troughs when it is deflected out of its latched position.

Abstract: A high-voltage variable resistor capable of significantly small-sizing a circuit board as compared with the prior art. A terminal fitment is provided so as to act as an electrical connector for establishing electrical connection between a slide element fixed on an operation shaft member and slid on a variable resistance pattern formed on a circuit board and an output portion thereof. The terminal fitment includes a contact holding portion which is provided at a distal end thereof with a contact portion. A contact point between the contact portion of the terminal fitment and a contact portion of the slide element is defined on a side of the operation shaft member while being spaced from a front surface of the circuit board. Such construction prevents the contact point from being defined at a central portion of the variable resistance pattern, resulting in a radius of curvature of the variable resistance pattern being reduced as compared with that in the prior art.

Abstract: A current limiting device has an electrically conductive composite material, an inhomogeneous distribution of resistance structure comprises a conducting filler, and at least two electrodes. At least one of the electrodes is a flexible electrode to maintain contact between the electrode and the composite material, regardless of the consumption of the composite material during a high current condition.

Abstract: A high-voltage variable resistor unit including a terminal connection structure capable of preventing upward movement or rotation of the terminal by simple construction. A terminal is provided with a connecting portion between a held portion and a lead wire connected portion. A terminal fixing portion of the insulating casing is provided adjacent to a terminal holding portion with a connecting portion receiving recess in which the connecting portion of the terminal is received. An insulating resin is charged in the connecting portion receiving recess and hardened. The walls surrounding the connecting portion receiving recess have a pair of grooves each formed on a pair of walls facing to a first linear connecting portion and a second linear connecting portion of the terminal.

Abstract: A surface mounted thin film precision voltage divider is provided by incorporating two resistors on a single base of the same size and configuration as prior art surface mounted thin film precision resistors. Because the resistors were made at the same time, using the same materials and under the same conditions, the resistors react substantially equally to changes in temperature, aging, thermal shock, short time overload, high temperature exposure, resistance to bond exposure, moisture resistance, load life and low temperature operation. The voltage divider replaces two conventional surface mounted thin film precision resistors at a fraction of the cost.

Abstract: A thermistor with positive resistance-to-temperature characteristic used in a overcurrent protection circuit has electrodes on mutually opposite main surfaces and is mounted to a substrate having electrically conductive members such that deterioration of its voltage resistance due to heat emission can be controlled. A spacer with smaller thermal conductivity than the substrate and penetrated by a conductor piece with a small cross-sectional area is inserted between solder materials connecting to one of the thermistor electrodes. The other electrode is contacted by an elongated connecting member through its sectional surface transverse to its longitudinal direction such that the cross-sectional area of electrical conduction is reduced.

Abstract: A conductive bus member operable over a selected operating frequency range includes a cylindrical main body and first and second legs secured to the main body at first and second points whereby first and second current paths having first and second impedances are defined between the first and second points. A predetermined relationship between the first and second impedances is maintained over the selected operating frequency range.

Abstract: The invention provides a magnetoresistance effects film including (a) at least two thin magnetic films deposited on a substrate, (b) at least one thin nonmagnetic film interposed between the thin magnetic films, and (c) a thin antiferromagnetic film disposed adjacent to one of the thin magnetic films between which the thin nonmagnetic film is interposed. A bias magnetic field of one of the thin magnetic films induced by the thin antiferromagnetic film has an intensity Hr greater than a coercivity H.sub.C2 of the other of the thin magnetic films which is remote from the thin antiferromagnetic film (Hr>H.sub.C2). The thin antiferromagnetic film has a superlattice structure composed of at least two of NiO, Ni.sub.x Co.sub.1-x O (x=0.1-0.9) and CoO. A ratio of Ni relative to Co in the number of atoms in the superlattice structure is set equal to or greater than 1.0.

Abstract: A high-voltage resistor unit capable of minimizing a variation in output voltage thereof. The resistor unit includes an output terminal member provided with a contact section connected, by only contacting, to an output electrode formed on a front surface of a circuit board. The electrode contacted with the constant section of the terminal member has a surface section covered with a resistive paint layer, of which a resistance value in a thickness direction thereof is set to be smaller than a resistance value of a resistance circuit pattern formed on the front surface of the circuit board which resistance value is determined in a thickness direction thereof.

Abstract: A voltage-dependent non-linear resistor member, a method for producing the same, and an arrester equipped with the same. The member is produced by a process comprising the addition of at least one oxide of a rare earth element selected from Y, Ho, Er and Yb in an amount of 0.05-1.0 mol % in terms of R.sub.2 O.sub.3 to a composition which principally consists of zinc oxide and contains bismuth oxide. The member has excellent non-linearity and a high varistor valtage. Further, the arrester has very small size and improved protective properties.

Abstract: A housing contains a PTC element which can be easily inserted and removed. Conductive metal retaining elements of the housing are secured to the base of the housing, and retain the PTC element with a generally planar portion parallel to the electrodes of the PTC component. The retaining elements also have slidable contact between the elements and the top of the housing so as to modify the elastic deformation of the element and allow for insertion and removal of the PTC element.